Category Archives: Shopping

Post navigation

One of the best designers of our time, Raf Simons, now captured in a beautiful new art book from Taschen. It will give you an insight in his impeccably tailored menswear line, how he reinvented Jil Sander, and created a new look since he took charge of Dior in 2012. The book includes 120 pages of photographs as well as essays, interviews and quotes from the designer himself. A must-have for all fashion lovers out there!

Last week, I spent a few days in Vienna. I love the city because of its beautiful architecture and history. But this city has of course much more to offer! Here are some tips of what I would recommend doing/visiting when in Vienna:

THE KISS – You can’t leave Vienna without admiring the amazing painting from Austrian Symbolist painter Gustav Klimt. Der Kuss was painted between 1907 and 1908, the highpoint of his Golden Period. It is a symbol of Vienna Jugendstil (Viennese Art Nouveau) and is considered Klimt’s most popular work. The painting is now in the museum of the Belvedere Palace, which is also worth while a visit due to its great baroque architecture and beautiful gardens.

SISSI – If you are a bit of a romantic, get yourself acquainted with the story of Sissi. A girl who loved playing in the fields of Bavaria (Germany) then falling madly in love with Franz Joseph II to become the Empress of Austria. As a young girl, I watched the film with Romy Schneider several times, which is a much more romantic version of her real life. You can visit the Hofburg Palace, If you want to get a glimpse of the world Sissi lived in.

ARCHITECTURE – When walking around in the city, don’t forget to look up…otherwise you will miss out on all these beautiful buildings around you. You can find here for example the most beautiful H&M store in the world. It’s located in a protected building with amazing authentic decorations and details. You really have to go check it out, even if you are not buying anything.

MUSIC – The city was home to many great composers of the classical music era, during the early 19th century, such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven; this was called Viennese classicism. There are concerts organised almost every day of the week. Are you more into dancing? Then you can learn the Wiener Waltz while you are there.

MANNER – Sweets for my sweet. This cookie is so addictive, it might be better not to even try it out because I can’t be held responsible for the effect it will have on you. Luckily you can find it on every street corner in case the cravings are too much to handle.

SACHER – More sweets for my sweet. The famous Sacher Torte! And if you really want to go traditional, then you have to eat a piece at the Sacher Hotel. If you like chocolate, you can’t leave Vienna without having a piece of this cake.

SCHNITZEL – The Wiener Schnitzel is the national dish of Austria. It is a very thin, breaded and deep fried Schnitzel from veal. You typically eat it with potato salad. It tastes soooo yummy, but unfortunately its a true calorie bomb.

HUMANIC – A shoe walhalla which is only available in German speaking countries. Definitely worth while a visit when you love shoes…

PRADA – It’s my favourite designer brand and I love checking out the local Prada store when I’m on a city trip. I’m like one of these people who visit The Hard Rock Cafe all over the world… with the big difference that I don’t buy a dress in every Prada store.
Vienna has a lot of designer flagship stores like LV, Chanel, Gucci…. Something for everyone.

SWAROVSKI – Founded by the Austrian class-cutter Daniel Swartz in 1895, the Swarovski brans is now known all over the world. They started out with sculptures and miniatures, but now have a full range of jewellery, luxury home deco and collaborate with lots of high-end designers using their crystals on clothes, shoes and bags. In their flagship store on the Kärntner Strasse you can enjoy a shopping landscape on three levels displaying jewellery, accessories, home decor and magical installations from world renowned artists.

One of the summer trends 2013 is ruffles & frills. And who would have thought there are so many ways of wearing ruffles: from the dramatic black/white looks of Balenciaga, to the more romantic versions from Chloe and the very colourful bright frills on the Gucci runway. It’s definitely a way to add some frivolity and femininity to your look. But keep it moderate and keep the frills on top of your dress or blouse, unless you are a flamenco dancer…

Lots of the new must-have sunglasses for this summer are real collectors’ items and statement pieces. Mainly because they are big and bold or have interesting frames. The cat-eye sunglasses from last year are still in popular demand, some of them with a more futuristic or extravagant twist. Last year we were all in search of the perfect statement necklace, I guess this year we will be making that fashion statement with sunglasses.

Below you can find my selection of the most on trend sunglasses for this season:

With the arrival of spring, it’s also time to put aways those heavy winter scents and start using those more lighter fresh perfumes. Each year we welcome new summer editions of existing perfumes. These are the new “light” scents for this season:

Balenciaga L’Eau Rose (main accord: rose)

The perfume, developed by perfumers Olivier Polge and Domitille Bertier, retains the signature cool chypre character and violet domination which are now modified with new, youthful and luminous floral and fruity accords. The fragrance opens with blackberry leading to the heart of violet, rose and patchouli. The base contains cedar, cypress and musk.

Valentino Valentina Acqua Floreale (main accord: floral)

This multi-layered floral composition is developed by perfumer Olivier Cresp. Initially, there are notes of bergamot and orange blossom that mingle with the heart of neroli, mimosa, tuberose and jasmine. The base is oriental, made of amber and patchouli.

Bottega Veneta Eau Légère (main accord: musky)

The composition is leathery – floral – chypre and it opens with refreshed dazzling top notes of the original which include bergamot and pink pepper. The scent retains its unique floral accord of jasmine, this time animated by delicate gardenia. Combination of oak moss and musk form a feminine and delicate trail.

Prada Candy L’Eau (main accord: balmy)

This playful and seductive perfume, created by Daniela Andrier, is modified with notes of citruses and flowers. Its opening sparkles with fresh Italian citruses, followed by the floral heart of sweet pea. The base is signature warm and gourmand, composed of benzoin, white musk and caramel.

The words describing this new version of Body are tenderness, eternal youth, serenity, ease and charisma. The composition opens with fresh aromas of lemon, apple, peach and absinthe. The core of the composition includes essences of rose, tea leaves, jasmine and sandalwood, all placed at the base of cashmere accords, vanilla, musk and amber.